Devon Alexander vs. Lucas Matthysse: A loss for Devon could put him in fringe contender status

By Dan Ambrose: Former IBF/WBC light welterweight champion Devon Alexander (21-1, 13 KO’s) has looked awful in his last two fights against Andriy Kotelnik and Timothy Bradley, and Alexander should feel very fortunate that he didn’t both of those fights instead of just the one to Bradley in January. Alexander is owed one fight by HBO and there’s talk of that fight coming against light welterweight contender Lucas Matthysse (28-1, 26 KO’s) in the summer after Alexander’s various cuts heal from his last fight against Bradley.

This may be the fight that Alexander wanted to get against Bradley or one against the winner of the Bradley-Khan unification fight, but the good thing is if Alexander can beat Matthysse, he’ll have done a lot to redeem himself after his last two poor outings against Kotelnik and Bradley. Matthysse is reportedly agreeable to fighting Alexander in his home city of St. Louis, Missouri.

This is where Kotelnik lost what appeared to be a home town decision. It might take a knockout for Matthysse or a fight in which he knocks Alexander down multiple times like Matthysse did with DeMarcus Corley recently in an 8-knockdown 8th round stoppage for Matthysse to get a win in St. Louis. Kotelnik came up short in a fight he appeared to win. Matthysse might have to take matters in his own hands and try to take Alexander out or make him quit again if he wants to make sure that he gets the win.

Ideally, the fight should take place in a neutral venue to avoid Matthysse getting jobbed on the decision. It’s just too risky for him to go there and fight in front of those Alexander fans and try to hope to get a win. Matthysse already lost a questionable decision in his fight with Zab Judah last November while fighting in Judah’s home town of Newark, New Jersey. Matthysse might want to avoid that happening again by making sure that he negotiates for a neutral venue for the Alexander fight.